According to the governor of New Mexico, “The atmosphere in Cuba is good for new things.”

One of the most prominent Hispanic politicians in the United States, Bill Richardson, said he will recommend to the president, Barack Obama, modest steps to improve American relations with Cuba, but he added that the road will be slow and difficult.

“There’s a good atmosphere, the best atmosphere I’ve seen in years, for improving relations between Cuba and the United States,” said Richardson, noting that it would be best to start with some modest steps. But he also said that Cuba needs to show more flexibility for new initiatives with the U.S. government.

In addition, Richardson said that after 50 years of mutual animosity, it is not possible to expect to find quick solutions to issues such as the U.S. embargo and Cuba’s political prisoners.

Specifically, the governor called on the U.S. government to to carry out cultural, academic, and business exchanges with the island and allow at the same time similar visits by Cubans to the United States.

Richardson also offered to arrange informal talks between the Cuban government and Cuban-American groups in Miami, the center of sentiment against the government of Cuba in the United States.

These talks have to begin on an informal and modest scale,” said the governer, “and the best place to start is with the community of Cuban Americans in Florida.”